Concrete

Over the last number of years huge steps have been made in concrete technology. Advances in batching equipment, and manufacturing processes have seen concrete plants being able to locate just about anywhere. This, along with easier methods of transportation has made concrete the most versatile building material on the planet.

The evolution of cements and admixtures has meant that concrete has almost limitless possibilities to which it can be used. The demands and needs being made on construction sites are far and varied. Concrete, being such an important material in construction, understandably, is also put under these demands:

• Higher strengths
• Increased workability
• Faster setting times
• Slower setting times
• Water proofing
• Fibre concrete
• Pumped concrete
• Self-compacting concrete

Are just a handful of the special demands put on this versatile product.

In 2003 Keegan Quarries Ltd. became one of the first producers to use GGBS cement. Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) is a cementitious material used to make durable concrete in combination with Portland cement.

A combination of GGBS and PC concrete has many advantages over a mix containing 100% PC. It gives better protection to steel from chloride attack and can be used as Sulphate resistant cement when used at the proper percentage. It can help reduce the threat of thermal cracking due to the reduced temperature of the mix. GGBS is also widely accepted as an effective means of minimising the risk of damaging ASR in new construction. GGBS can be used at up to 70% content along with PC and will achieve sufficient strength within one day of casting to prevent mechanical damage on removal of vertical formwork. Extra should be taken with thin sections poured during winter conditions when the cold ambient air may affect the concrete temperature.

Using this product has huge advantages for the environment. GGBS is a by-product of the iron making industry where the energy has already been expended in the balstfurnance and minerals have already been won. So, the use of GGBS in concrete partially to replace Portland cement is environmentally beneficial as energy is conserved and the use of primary mineral resources is minimised.

Lafarge Cement process GGBS at it's plant in Port Talbot in Wales and distribute throughout Ireland from it's terminal in Belfast. Our main supplier of PC is Lagan cement. They supply PC from their new facilities in Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath.

Keegan Quarries Ltd. has embraced all these advances to develop a company, capable to produce and deliver high quality concrete, to the needs of our customers.

From the moment Keegan Quarries Ltd. produced it's first batch of concrete we were dedicated to the quality of our concrete and the quality of service we supply. Our first plant was put into production in 1999 and was state of the art when erected, with fully automatic computerised batching operations. This was a dry batching plant situated near Enfield, Co. Meath. After a couple of years in production the demands being made on this plant were too great. And a bigger, faster plant soon replaced it. Keegan Quarries' ability to adapt quickly to market place demand has seen more modern plants erected in the Meath and North Dublin areas, bringing the number of plants to four in total. With a large fleet of trucks on the road we are happy to say that our dedication to supplying a service is second to none.

Our dedication to the quality is also met with vigour and energy. We have always produced our own aggregates at our quarries in Trammon and Agher, ensuring quality and quantity. In December 2004 we became the first concrete producer in Ireland to be accredited by BSI for the new EN 206 specification. This specification is now mandatory for all ready mix producers to hold. It incorporates the specification, performance, production and conformity of concrete.

Under this specification, every tiny detail involved with concrete production is examined. Regular tests are done on all constituent materials. Suppliers of cement and admixtures require similar third party accreditation so as to be able to supply us. Aggregates are CE marked. They are stridently tested to ensure they are of the utmost quality. All plant and equipment are calibrated and checked constantly. Staff are continually trained and updated in their area of expertise. All of this is ongoing on a daily basis with audits carried out by BSI throughout the year.

With our dedication to producing a quality service along with a quality product, Keegan Quarries also supply technical information to our customers, thus supplying a total package when it comes to supplying concrete.

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